"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It was so nice to meet you in person and your "not your typical networking" networking event, was an amazing experience. Personally you pushed me out of my comfort zone and paved the way on how I should approach networking in the future. Professionally you changed my mindset from a "what can I get out of others" to a "what can I give to others" I very much look forward to going to your next event."
-Andrew (New York City)

"I recently posted a comment about thinking of Mark E. Sackett while driving, and remarkably I thought of him again. I think I think of Mark every time I think of the way the world should be. In this case, saying "hi" to strangers. To most people doing it is awkward, uncomfortable and weird. I don't know how often Mark does it, but I do recall reading in his bio that it's something he does. Success comes from making people feel good, and saying, "hi" to a stranger in a very simple way does just that. To me that simple behavior and ability says a lot about Mark's deep understanding of success."
-Daniel (New Jersey)

"It was great to meet you and attend your event. I love networking events where the organizers don't just throw as many bodies in the room as possible to collect cards to add to the collection. Thank you for a well-organized, thought out, event. I go to many networking events and you are definitely in the top tier for quality. Your event is structured in such a way as to maximize the value to the participants. I am looking forward to attending future The Art of Active Networking Events."
-Joe (New York City)

"Mark's programs are the BEST! Mark has all the right ingredients: interesting people, an outstanding structure for networking that ensures success and a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. Go!!!"
-Anonymous (Vancouver, BC)

"The way I discovered The Art of Active Networking is actually quite funny. I'm a realtor and every morning I do about 2 hours of cold calling around the neighborhoods where I have listings. One morning, one of the people I reached turned out to be Mark Sackett. I started to give my usual spiel and Mark quickly cut me off and said, "Hey, if you really want to come and meet some interesting people come to a networking event I'm hosting on Monday." Of course, I took down the info and told him I'd see him there.

I did some research on the event before coming by but I still didn't really know what to expect. When I got there I was greeted by a warm and welcoming crowd of people. Several of the folks there were regulars, but quite a few were first timers like myself. From the very beginning you can feel an energy in the room that was filled with openness and enthusiasm. But more importantly, there was also a particular aura present in the entire experience that radiates directly from Mark himself; the unyielding desire everyone here has to help one another. The Art of Active Networking isn't about the me, me, me factor like so many other similar events are, but there's actually a very authentic pleasure that most attendees derive from knowing that they were able to help people connect to one another who ultimately solved each others problems and reached a step further towards conquering their goals.

Ultimately, when you come from a place of giving without the expectation that you will get something in return, people will in turn feel your generosity and in the same way strive to help you reach your goals. This is just human nature, and unfortunately it is common sense that isn't so common in our world. The Art of Active Networking is a true escape from your regular, boring networking event where you exchange business cards that you almost instantly throw away (or file away into what Mark calls "rubber band syndrome"). Instead of just a few short introductions and the overused and insanely irritating phrase "What do you do for a living", the The Art of Active Networking stresses that you talk about your passions, about your true life goals and desires, about who you really are and what drives you as a human being. It's because of this simple yet alarmingly underused theme to a social gathering that I have now become hooked, and am a lifer at Mark's monthly event in SF. All thanks to a cold call, that became a warm connection."
-Joe (San Francisco, CA)

"I read Mark's posting on Stage32.com an entertainment site for networking, and was intrigued by his passion in connecting people and bridging relationships to create exciting networks. So I decided to go to The Art of Active Networking event here in Vancouver recently, not knowing what to expect and wasn't disappointed - after being so accustomed to networking events in the film and entertainment industry where everyone is always trying to "pitch and sell" something to each other - it was quite a refreshing and inspiring experience at Mark's event where he encouraged everyone to "get to know each other by offering to help", because it's all about building relationships and not just "selling stuff". I actually met quite a few people that are not from the film industry that I'm in, but they were unique, interesting individuals who actually care to get to know you as a person and have meaningful conversations outside of "selling oneself". By the end of the self-intro session around the room, it feels like you know everyone in the room and there's definitely lots of warm and fun vibes spreading around even before the networking actually got started! Learning from Mark's insight on "the active art of networking" was also a very inspirational experience with a good dose of humor! Thank you, Mark - for the wonderful night of meeting new friends, exchanging ideas and plenty of good vibes. Look forward to seeing you again in this town soon."
-Desiree, Filmmaker (Vancouver, BC)

"One of the amazing things about Mark E. Sackett is his ability to improve the world around the people he meets. I'm not saying this to suck up or flatter Mark, but to thank him in my own way. I've attended his events a number of times, but that's not really the thing I enjoy. It's that Mark, through speaking with others, is very motivating and uplifting. I just watched his TEDTalk, and it reminded me how much fun it is to go out, create, improve, and connect. - LinkedIn only wants me to select THREE attributes to describe this recommendation for Mark... 3 is not nearly enough."
-Christopher

"I keep returning to The Art of Active Networking because it is the best place I have found to get inspired and reconnected to what is possible when we focus on helping each other. Many of us feel so pressured to make a sale, grow our business, or 'get ahead' that we forget how to connect with each other as equals, humans, individuals and build relationships to help each other. Mark leads the way in 'being the change' by hosting these events that are anchored in receiving by giving. If you want to be part of the most exciting and satisfying consciousness shift, come practice with us (and laugh, and enjoy delicious food!). Be a leader, a trail blazer and check out this unique and inspiring gathering."
-Cara Cordoni (San Francisco, CA)

"Mark, the creator of, “The Art of Active Networking”, completely forces you to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. He forces you to not only know what strangers name, occupation, and hobbies are, but what really drives them out of bed daily to grind in order to do what they are passionate about. Mark teaches you how to dig deep, and then delve even deeper to discover the true meaning of each new persons meaning of life; what makes them tick, what makes them cry. This is my very first networking event, and now the bar is set so extremely high, I don’t know if I can attend a regular meetup anymore, as this event will probably put 99.9999 (repeating) % of all networking events to shame!!

I have never been in a room full of so many awesome people who genuinely want to help you with no expectations of receiving anything in return. I love that concept, and live by it. Thanks Mark, for connecting me with amazing people I would have never connected with normally with my busy/productive lifestyle. 25 dollars is peanuts in comparison to the standard of friends you make here. I could be in a million dollars debt, and would beg for 25 dollars for even a day on the street just to attend this event with Mark, and his team, just so I can better my skills and gain a better understanding. If there is anything in life that you cheap out on, the last person/thing would be yourself. (coming from a once broke joke) Continuous education is key to a successful life. “A wise person learns from their mistakes, a wiser person learns from the mistakes of others. The wisest person learns from other peoples success."
-Annie (Vancouver, BC)

"Do you think networking is a boring activity? Frankly, most of them are. But there is one place to network where it's not only exciting, it's an art form. Mark Sackett has created the perfect formula for you to not only meet some of the coolest people in the city, but also gives you the education and the space you need to do it more effectively. As a small business owner, I was thrilled with the quality of the people who were present, and the number of deals and referrals that were taking place. I also loved that people followed up the next day which meant that Mark's giving keeps right on giving resulting in a client. Mark you are AWESOME!"
-Jacqueline Wales (Author of The Fearless Factor Motivational Programs)

"I recently attended a night of Active Networking, a group that meets at least one time a month in San Francisco at the Box SF. In all my days of networking, i.e., lunch, trade shows, meetings and anything else, I can say I have never experienced anything like this group. The connections were made seamlessly and effortlessly, and all under the wise direction of Mark Sackett, owner of The Box SF and facilitator for the event. His style and approach to integrate this eclectic gathering of at least 50 people, cuts to the chase, with short bios of 30 seconds as we go around the room. At the conclusion of that, we are let loose to eat, mingle and make as many connections as possible, and the interactions have a charged excitement. I liken it to speed date for entrepreneurs and career seekers of all kinds, and if there is a connection, like a "first date", the tingly after effects sink in later."

"In my 20+ years in professional sales with countless seminars, workshops, network mixers, and business-centric meet and greets, to say nothing of my personal involvement with organizations devoted to the business exchange of ideas and business leads, I'm amazed at the level of intent and exchange of ideas that I've found at The Art of Active Networking. As we work as individuals through the poetry of life, how often are we truly surprised as to what the human spirit can do to surprise and motivate you? The Art of Active Networking moves in a direction that defines what a person can do if they just open their eyes, hearts and minds to helping others make their day a better day, a more productive day, a day of help and understanding. This event and seminar isn't for everyone, but if you've reached a maturity of heart, mind and spirit in your life and are willing to help make others lives as important as your own, this networking event, this business event, can make a difference to you and others right now, right today.
-George (San Francisco, CA)